Grand Prize: New York City

This one-of-a-kind trip for two to New York City includes private tours of 5 sustainable MVVA projects led by Michael Van Valkenburgh and other MVVA senior staff with insider knowledge of the design and construction of each space﻿﻿.

Winner Receives:

- Roundtrip airfare (travel dates flexible)- 4 nights lodging in a sustainable Manhattan hotel﻿- A day of private tours by Michael Van Valkenburgh and team to five MVVA projects﻿- Two tickets to a premier Broadway show﻿- Two spa treatments﻿- Meal stipends for two- $300 local transportation stipend

Tour Details:

One sweepstakes winner and a guest will spend a full day touring recent New York City parks and plazas designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. Tour guides will include Michael Van Valkenburgh and members of the office involved in the design of the projects, including MVVA Principal ﻿Matthew Urbanski. Various aspects of sustainable design will be discussed at each location﻿, including:

The day will start off at the newly completed Jacob Javits Plaza, in lower Manhattan. From here, head west to visit Teardrop Park, in Battery Park City, where you can ride the big slide, walk through the bluestone wall, see the heliostats that direct sunshine into a shaded courtyard, and learn how to design a lawn in New York City that can be maintained without toxic pesticides or fertilizers.

Heading north, the tour will go to Segment 5 of Hudson River Park, which is part of an emerging greenbelt along Manhattan’s west side that connects the city back to its Hudson River shoreline. From here, head east to the historic Union Square neighborhood and a visit to park’s newly renovated north end playground, pavilion and plaza. Enjoy lunch at the Union Square Café.

After lunch, cross over the East River to visit Brooklyn Bridge Park. Starting at Jane’s Carousel, a historic carousel housed in a building by Jean Nouvel, wrap around the East River shore, passing under the piers of Brooklyn Bridge, and entering into the nine-acre Pier One landscape. From the pine benches, to the water garden, to the granite prospect, to the salt marsh, you will hear about the multiple elements within Brooklyn Bridge Park that were designed to conserve resources, improve ecological performance, and maximize experience in the park. Walk down the tidal ramp and dip your toes in the East River. Continuing up through the developing areas of the park, visit the Pier 6 playground and volleyball courts. ﻿